‘Ford just champion

‘Ford just champion

27 February 2013

BRYANSFORD were crowned Creggan Kickham’s Ulster U-21 champions after beating Ballinderry to claim the Paddy McLarnon Memorial Cup.

Bryansford looked to get off to a lightning start but Danny Savage saw his first shot go wide after just 20 seconds. It was the Derry champions who registered the first point after three minutes as Fintan Bell pointed to add to his tally for the competition.

Incredibly, it would turn out to be the only score Ballinderry would register from play. Bryansford hit back quickly and a pointed free from Danny Savage drew the sides level.

Bryansford would dominate for the next twenty minutes but a catalogue of missed opportunities had many wondering whether the Ford charges would be made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal.

The impressive Chris Clarke did edge the Mourne men ahead as he drove a shot over the bar turning down the temptation to lash the ball goalward and David McKibben followed up with a pointed free to leave it 0-3 to 0-1 midway through the first half.

More chances came and went for Bryansford before a 21st minute Ryan Bell 45 narrowed the gap to a single point. From the kick-out Bryansford broke down the field at pace and the ball was worked to Adam Magorrian, with the corner forward swinging a right-footed shot over the bar.

However, a brace of Ryan Bell free kicks before the interval left a half-time score of Bryansford 0-4 Ballinderry 0-4.

The game may well have turned out very differently had the Oak Leafers found the net early in the second period. The ball was worked down the right hand side of the field before a crossfield pass to Lee Martin changed the point of the attack.

Martin unleashed an unstoppable cannon ball shot with his left boot.

The ball flew past the outstretched hand of Ryan Brannigan but thundered off the post. The rebound fell straight to Emmett McGeehan who blasted towards the goal, but Bryansford centre half back Ruairi Wells came flying out of the blue and somehow got his body between the ball and the goal line.

Three Bryansford points in a five-minute spell put daylight between the teams. Danny Savage got the first and Conor Devlin kicked a beauty from 35 metres to extend the gap. Wing half back Neil Murray continued the barrage on the Ballinderry goal with a point that came from a brilliant Aidan McCartan catch in midfield.

With a quarter of an hour to go Danny Savage brought the game to double scores but frees from Ryan Bell and Fintan Bell rang out the sound of a late Ballinderry comeback.

In the final few minutes Bryansford pulled further clear with Danny Savage pointing on the run and Chris Clarke rounding off the scoring with a fisted effort, having cut in from the sideline. Ballinderry did get the ball back down the field but in their need for a goal ended up putting the ball wide.

There were strong performances all over the field with Daniel Young’s piercing runs, Eoghan McMullan’s (inset) thumping tackles and Tomás McInerney’s creativity proving the catalyst to set up the opportunities for the scorers.

The scenes of delight and unbridled joy that followed among players, managers and supporters were a real contrast against the devastation and isolation that was clearly being felt by the beaten Ballinderry lads.

Aaron McDonald was presented with the man of the match award and Danny Savage picked up the accolade for the tournament’s top scorer.

Bryansford: R. Brannigan, A. McDonald, R. McDonald, M. Harbinson, N. Murray (0-1), R. Wells, D. Young, D. McKibben (0-1), C. Devlin (0-1), T. McInerney, C. Clarke (0-2), E. McMullan, A. Magorrian (0-1), D. Savage (0-4), A. McCartan. Sub used: Jack Maginn. Other squad members: C. Hale, L. Kelly, James Maginn, P. Young, L. King, A. Tilley, R. Kavanagh, S. Kane.

Bryansford 0-10

Ballinderry 0-6

ULSTER U-21 FC FINAL